Brechdan Ironrede has essentially the same nickname as Harald Hardrada, a historical figure and the central character of Poul Anderson's Last Viking Trilogy. When Brechdan's bailiff, Chwioch the Dandy, becomes Ambassador to Terra, he could appropriately be renamed "the Shrewd" but prefers that the Terrans underestimate him. An earlier Ambassador was called Ruethven of the Long Hand. (I think. I will confirm this name when I can access books in a room where my granddaughter is currently exercising.) (Later: Ruethen.) Brechdan's successor, Tachwyr the Dark, has skin of a slightly deeper green than is usual around the Wilwidh Ocean.
Brechdan's cyborg spy, Dwyr the Hook, had been Dwyr the Merry. He has also been Dwyr of Tanis and there is a Gwyanafon of Brightwater so personal names can include place names.
Brechdan's fellow Councillors include Shwylt Shipsbane, Lifrith, Priadwyr and Eidhafor. We may guess at the origin of Shwylt's nickname and are not told those of the others. However, later, there is a Fodaich Eidhafor the Bold of Vach Dathyr in the Merseian Navy. Tachwyr's fellow Councillors include, apart from Gwyanafon (see above), Odhar the Curt and Alwis Longtail. (All Merseians have substantial tails on which they sit.)
Dominic Flandry is captured by a Merseian crew whose broch (Second Mate) is Tryntaf the Tall, another self-explanatory nickname. Datholch Ydwyr the Seeker is a scientist whereas Qanryf Morioch Sun-in-Eye is a Naval Commandant. Ydwyr is also the Roidun's nephew. Flandry meets Brechdan and Ydwr and is a friend of Tachwyr. Ydwyr has a more exalted way of expressing his family connection:
"'As for my standing, I belong to the Vach Urdiolch, and' - he stood up and touched his brow while he finished - ' it is my high honor that a brother of my late noble father is, in the glory of the God, Almighty Roidhun of Merseia, the Race, and all holdings, dominions, and subordinates of the Race.'"
- Poul Anderson, Young Flandry (New York, 2010), pp. 281-282.
On hearing this, Flandry urges his human companion to join him in leaping up and saluting appropriately.
Cnif hu Vanden, a xenophysiologist, descended from Merseians of the pre-unification Republic of Lafdigu in the southern hemisphere, was born on a colony planet that retains Lafdiguan language and laws. Thus, his skin is yellow, Eriau is not his first language and he belongs to no Vach.
Chunderban Desai negotiates with a Merseian whose name I will confirm. (Later: Uldwyr of Vach Hallen.) Meanwhile, down with the Roidhun and "Glory to the Emperor!"
(My real world views are not imperialistic so this engagement with Anderson's texts must be understood as part of a dramatic performance.)
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